Former Arsenal -midfielder Paul Merson believes that Liverpool has already won the Premier League after the Gunners have dropped more points against Manchester United on Sunday.
Merson also believes that Arsenal has greater problems than the title race, while the Battle for Champions League football warms up in the final phase of the campaign.
The side of Arne Slot came from behind to defeat Southampton to extend their lead to 16 points before Sunday's confrontation in Old Trafford between United and De Gunners.
United took the lead through the free kick of Bruno Fernandes, but Declan Rice's 74th minute equalized part of the loot, although it was a result that Arsenal did not help.
Arsenal is indeed now winning the Premier League title in just 0.3% of Opta's data-conducted simulations, in which Merson does not cut his words after the draw at Old Trafford.
“Fifth in the competition is closer to Arsenal than for the first time,” said Merson.
“I mean, in my opinion I would now say that we should concentrate on finishing top-four, they are too far away.
“Liverpool has to lose almost half of their matches, they have lost one throughout the season, it is over, ready.”
Merson was also very critical of the Arsenal attack, where Mikel Arteta refused to introduce a backup for Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, who were out for the season in January.
With Bukayo Saka also sidelined, Mikel Merino led the improvised forward line of Arsenal alongside Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard on Sunday, but the trio could not shoot again.
And Merson said those players would not even start for the 10th placed Fulham, in which the 56-year-old also suggests that Arsenal should have left everything to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.
“We also had this with Arsene Wenger. Everyone knew he needed a center half, but he never got one. It is now the same with Mikel Arteta,” Merson said.
“They had rejected an £ 60 million offer for Ollie Watkins in January. Well, with 65. It is only five million. It is just a cup of tea for Arsenal.
“Do you think the Arsenal Front Three will be in the Fulham team? And where are Fulham?”
The Gunners have not succeeded in winning three games against parties that are the day in the 15th or lower in the Premier League table this season (W7 D2 L1), after winning all 12 of the matches they played against opponents in the previous period between the 15th and 20th in the table.
But Arsenal apparently found their shooting in midweek and placed seven past PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League round of 16 first stage.
However, Merson tried the size of the result and said that Arsenal will now look carefully over their shoulders, instead of looking up.
I thought [the 7-1 win against PSV] In midweek the paper was over the cracks. You play in the top competition in the world, you are one of the best teams in that competition and you have no center ahead, “Merson added.
“Mikel Merino scored twice against Leicester, but you didn't win the competition with him who played there. He looked lost in front. No team wins anything without a good center ahead.
“Arsenal is currently suffering and I think it's a concern now. They have to score goals now and it will be a bit tight when you look at the competition table.
“Manchester City has some nice competitions coming and they can catch Arsenal.”
Amazing road again, Gooners
Safe Travel back home pic.twitter.com/L0MZRTLLEC
– Arsenal (@ARSENAL) 9 March 2025
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